Packaging Container, Especially Can-Like Container

ABSTRACT

Packaging container, especially can-like packaging container ( 10 ) having a cylinder-like or tube-like container body ( 11 ) produced from composite foil, a lid arrangement ( 12 ), and also a base closure, especially a standing base ( 13 ). The lid arrangement ( 12 ) comprises a relatively rigid, that is, dimensionally stable, annular collar ( 16 ), which is fixed on, especially sealed to, the circumferential rim ( 14 ) of the container body ( 11 ) and which marks the boundary of a container opening ( 15 ), as well as a cover foil ( 18 ), which extends over the container opening ( 15 ) and is sealed to the rim ( 17 ) thereof.

The present invention relates to a packaging container, especially acan-like container having a cylinder-like or tube-like container bodyproduced from composite foil, a lid arrangement, and also a baseclosure, especially a standing base.

Containers of that kind are generally known and are used to keep, storeand transport liquid, paste and solid contents, the low weight of suchpackages and the ease with which they can be printed being extremelyadvantageous. A disadvantage from time to time, however, is thehandling, especially the opening, of such containers because of theflexibility of the container body, which is produced from a compositefoil. Owing to the lack of adequate stability of the container body, thecontents of the package can very easily be spilled uncontrollably whenthe container is being opened. This is a risk especially when thecontainer opening is also of flexible construction.

The problem underlying the present invention is accordingly to providean alternative to inflexible packaging containers made of plastics,glass or metal that, despite being produced from flexible compositefoil, can be opened in a controlled manner and optionally also closedagain. The packaging containers according to the invention are intendedespecially to be an alternative to inflexible packaging cans.

That problem is solved in accordance with the invention by thecharacterising features of claim 1.

An important aspect of the invention is accordingly that a dimensionallystable lid arrangement be provided that can easily be opened so that thecontents of the package can be properly accessed. Specifically, the lidarrangement comprises a relatively rigid, that is, dimensionally stable,annular collar, which is fixed on, especially sealed to, thecircumferential rim of the container body and which marks the boundaryof a container opening, as well as a cover foil, which extends over thecontainer opening and is sealed to the rim thereof. That constructionalso allows relatively large, dimensionally stable container openingsthat can be so closed that the container contents are protected againstcontamination. The container contents can especially also besterile-packed.

In a preferred embodiment a neck, onto which a lid is lockable orscrewable, extends between the annular collar and the container opening.In the first-mentioned solution, the neck has a locking protrusion,especially an annular protrusion, extending radially outwards, or alocking notch, extending radially inwards, which in each case matchcomplementary locking means on the lid.

In the second embodiment or alternative, there is embossed on or carvedin the outer circumference of the neck a thread that matches acorresponding internal thread in a screw lid or a screw cap.

The lid can also, in the form of a hinged lid, be hinge-mounted at thecollar by way of a film hinge. Collar and lid are thus joined to oneanother in one piece. In principle, a multi-part articulated hinge jointis naturally also possible. It is equally possible for the lid itself tobe of bendable construction. For that purpose, the lid itself can in asub-region be constructed in the form of a film hinge.

The hinge-joint can also be prebiased into the closing position of thelid, either by appropriate stamping-in of a tension in the material orby the provision of a torsion spring.

The opening rim can be of annular, oval or triangular shape or the like.No restrictions are imposed in terms of shape. The opening rim canespecially include a pouring funnel or spout. The lid is thencorrespondingly shaped.

It is furthermore advantageous if the cover foil has at least one griptab which extends radially beyond the rim of the container opening. Bymeans of the tab, the cover foil can easily be removed from, that ispulled off, the opening rim of the container.

The container body preferably consists of a foil that is formed by meansof fin-seal or lap-seal into a cylindrical, truncated cone-shaped ortube-shaped basic body. Alternatively, the container body can also be aportion of an extruded foil tube.

The container body, and optionally also the base and the cover foil,preferably consist of a laminate, especially aluminium laminate, havingat least one sealing layer and optionally at least one barrier layer,especially of SiO₂, ethyl vinyl alcohol or a metal foil.

The thickness of the foil is in the range from 50μ to 1000μ, especiallyfrom 100μ to 500μ, preferably from 150μ to 350μ. Ultimately, thethickness of the foil also depends on the contents and on the size ofthe packaging container.

The base of the packaging container can either be of shallow-pot-likeform or be constructed with a V-shaped or W-shaped fold, and bonded orsealed at the rim side to the circumferential rim of the container bodyat the base side. Conventional techniques are used for that purpose.Alternatively, the base can also be closed simply by the formation of atransverse sealing seam, corresponding to the base closure of a tube oftoothpaste or the like.

Preferably, however, the base consists of a relatively rigid, that is,dimensionally stable, material and is formed as a standing base so that,overall, a can-like container is obtained that is characterised by arelatively rigid base, a relatively rigid and dimensionally stable lidarrangement, and a container body that is produced from composite foil.Such containers are relatively light, simple to produce, adequatelydimensionally stable and can reliably be opened and optionally closedagain. They can be used to store liquid, pulverulent or granular-typeproducts, especially food, drink or also medicines. In view of theflexibility of the container body and because of the ease with which thecomposite foil from which the container body is produced can bedeformed, it is also possible for as many different forms of containeras desired to be produced. Printing of the containers is also verysimple; all that is required is that the composite foil iscorrespondingly printed in advance.

Further, the lid, too, can be produced from a relatively rigid, that is,dimensionally stable, material so that, after the container has beenopened, the lid is suitable for further uses, such as, for example, as asupport for the container.

Preferably, the relatively rigid, that is, dimensionally stable, baseand/or lid is/are produced by injection moulding or deep-drawing. Thoseproduction processes are extremely favourably priced and are especiallywell suited to the production of large numbers of items.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the lid has a topside that falls away at an angle and thus has a certain heightextension. According to the invention, the lid can also be constructedin the form of a truncated cone, the lid being tapered upwards. Itshould be mentioned that a combination of the features of the top sideof the lid falling away at an angle and a taper can be combined.

The embodiments mentioned above are suitable for containers having a lidof which the inclined top side is available, for example, foradvertising purposes, and faces the observer for improved visibility.This is advantageous especially when the containers are placed in salesstands, particularly since such a three-dimensionally shaped lid has anunusual lid form and therefore tends to catch the eye.

In addition, such a three-dimensionally shaped lid having a truncatedcone body and a lid top-side that falls away at an angle is also usableas a standing aid for the container once it has been removed from thetop of the container, the container with its standing base, which ispreferably at least in part approximately complementary in shape to thetruncated cone shape of the lid, being placed on the latter.

As has already been mentioned hereinbefore, the base can be ofshallow-pot-like form or constructed with a V-shaped or W-shaped fold,and bonded, welded or sealed at the rim side to the circumferential rimat the base side of the container body. The circumferential rim, whichusually serves at least as a partial standing face for the container,takes up an inclined position as a result of the container's beingpositioned on the lid, so that then the container as a whole is slightlyinclined. The degree of filling of the container is obviously such thatthe filling material does not, as a result of that slightly inclinedposition, pour out of the container, especially when the container isfully opened.

For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that the lid can beplaced either with its bottom side, but optionally instead with its topside, onto a supporting surface, and that the standing base of thecontainer, when used as a standing aid, engages internally or externallywith the lid, with the result that the container is not able to slip offthe lid incline.

Here, it is preferred for the circumferential rim of the lid to have asomewhat larger external diameter than the standing base or the upperopening rim, so that the lid is placed on a support with its originaltop side now directed downwards, and the container comes to stand in anopening in the lid and is held, for example by a lip or bar, on the nowupwardly directed circumferential rim of the lid.

In view of the slight inclined position of the opened container, itscontents are more readily accessible, especially also for smallchildren; in addition, there is a better view into the container.

A similar effect can be achieved by the container body's having avarying height over its circumference, so that the container opening ofa horizontally-standing container falls away at an angle. In that case,the lid is made oval in shape in such a way that it is suitable forclosure of the container opening.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a ring segment orring is provided, which can be snapped on at least around a partialregion of the neck of the lid arrangement and engages around the neck atleast partially, which ring segment or ring is connected to the lid,especially by way of a film hinge.

The special advantage of that embodiment is that the container can firstof all be filled and closed with a cover foil, before the lid isfastened to the container by means of a ring or by means of a ringsegment that engages at least partially around the neck. It isespecially advantageous here when the lid arrangement is produced from arelatively rigid, that is, dimensionally stable, material, and it shouldbe stressed that not only the lid but also the lid arrangement as awhole can be injection moulded or deep-drawn.

The ring segment or the ring is placed around at least a partial regionof the neck and connected in that way to the container. A lid formed inthat manner, with the fastening arrangement engaging at least partiallyaround the neck, can be removable, so that the lid can be used by theend user for different containers. In that manner it is possible for thecontainer to be sealed at a favourable cost using the cover foil only.The lid with the fastening arrangement engaging at least partiallyaround the neck can thus be used by the end user to re-close an openedcontainer, as required.

It is also within the scope of the concept of the invention for the lidand the cover foil to be joined to one another in a separable manner,the lid and/or the cover foil being sealed or bonded to one another,wherein at least the portions of the lid and of the cover foil that aresealed or bonded to one another are provided with substances in thesealing or bonding material that reduce the sealing and/or bondingability. In the case of the sealing material polyethylene, substancesreducing the sealing ability may be, for example, polybutylene orpolypropylene or a mixture of both, especially with an admixture of from20% by weight polybutylene to polypropylene. In that manner it ispossible to produce a lid having a cover foil that is weakly adherentwhich, on sealing of the container, is sealed or bonded to the openingrim of the container more strongly than to the lid. When the containeris being opened, therefore, first of all only the lid is removed, whilethe cover foil remains on the opening rim of the container, or moreprecisely the lid arrangement thereof, and then, for example with theaid of the grip tab, the cover foil can be removed separately and thecontainer can thus be opened fully.

It is thus possible to provide one side of the cover foil withsubstances that reduce the sealing and/or bonding ability and, in thatmanner, reduce the sealing ability of the cover foil towards that side,while the sealing ability on the opposite side of the cover foil isfully retained, with the result that the cover foil has two sides havingdifferent sealing abilities, especially in respect of sealing strength.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the lid has a recesswhich is openable on the outside and which, prior to use, is closed,especially sealed, preferably by a foil. An article, such as, forexample, a spoon, knife or fork or similar implement or addition can bearranged in the recess. The implement can preferably be of folding orcollapsible construction.

To use the implement, a cover foil is thus removed from the top side ofthe lid comprising the recess, so that the recess with the productlocated therein becomes accessible. The lid of the container can then beopened so that the interior of the container becomes accessible.

Further, the lid can serve as a standing aid for the container once ithas been removed from the top of the container. The lid in that variantpreferably has an extent greater in surface area than the base of thecontainer and is provided with a recess into which the base of thecontainer is insertable with a substantially exact fit. That embodimentis especially preferred for use by smaller children, because knockingover or tipping over the container is made appreciably more difficult inview of the resulting increased standing area. If required, thecontainer itself can be provided with a cover foil in addition to itslid.

According to a further embodiment, the neck of the lid arrangement isprovided with a thread onto which a lid can be screwed. The lid has asealing membrane which is preferably applied concentrically relative toits circumferential rim, which sealing membrane can be pressed out ofthe top of the lid to separate it therefrom, resulting in a circularaperture in the top of the lid. A teat for infants and/or small childrencan be inserted into that circular aperture according to conventionalmanner, the size of the resulting aperture in the top of the lidobviously being dimensioned for commercially available teats. In thatway the container according to the invention can be used as a “bottle”for small children and infants.

In the following, various embodiments of packaging containers accordingto the invention are explained in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a first embodiment of a packagingcontainer according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a packaging containercorresponding to FIG. 1, likewise in diagrammatic side view;

FIGS. 3 a-3 e are each a perspective view of a can-like containershowing the attachment of a lid arrangement according to the invention;

FIGS. 4 a-4 d are each a perspective view of an alternative can-likecontainer showing the attachment of a lid arrangement according to theinvention;

FIG. 5 shows a further alternative of a can-like container inperspective view;

FIGS. 6 a, 6 b and 6 c show three different embodiments of packagingcontainers (soft packagings) having a lid arrangement according to theinvention, each in perspective view;

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show a further embodiment of a packaging containeraccording to the invention in closed and partially opened form, in eachcase in perspective view;

FIGS. 9 a, 9 b show a further embodiment of a packaging containeraccording to the invention in closed and opened form, in each case inperspective view;

FIGS. 10 a-10 c show a further embodiment of a packaging containeraccording to the invention in a closed illustration and in two openedillustrations, in each case in perspective view;

FIGS. 11 a-11 c show a further embodiment of a packaging containeraccording to the invention in open, partially closed and fully closedform, in each case in perspective view;

FIGS. 12 a-12 c show a further embodiment of a packaging containeraccording to the invention in closed, partially opened and fully openedform, in each case in perspective view;

FIGS. 13 a-13 c show a further embodiment of a packaging containeraccording to the invention with a special construction of the lid, inclosed, partially opened and fully opened form, in each case inperspective view;

FIGS. 14 a-14 c show a further embodiment of a packaging containeraccording to the invention with a lid having a film hinge, in closed,partially opened and fully opened form, in each case in perspectiveview;

FIGS. 15 a-15 c show a further embodiment of a packaging containeraccording to the invention based on FIGS. 13 a-13 c and 14 a-14 c, inclosed, partially opened and fully opened form, in each case inperspective view;

FIG. 16 shows a further embodiment of a packaging container according tothe invention having a standing-base lid; and

FIGS. 17 a-17 c show a further embodiment of a packaging containeraccording to the invention for use as a “bottle”, in closed, partiallyopened and ready-to-use form, in each case in perspective view.

The packaging container shown in FIG. 1 is a can-like container 10having a cylinder-like or tube-like container body 11 produced fromcomposite foil, a lid arrangement 12, as well as a standing base 13. Thelid arrangement 12 comprises a relatively rigid, that is, dimensionallystable, annular collar 16, which is applied to, specifically sealedexternally to, the circumferential rim 14 of the container body 11 andwhich marks the boundary of a container opening 15, as well as a coverfoil 18, which extends over the container opening 15 and is sealed tothe rim 17 thereof. Formed between the annular collar 16 and thecontainer opening 15 is a neck 19 onto which a lid 20 can be screwed.For that purpose, there is embossed on the outer circumference of theneck 19 a thread 21 that matches a corresponding internal thread, notshown here, in the screw lid 20. The container body 11 can be producedfrom a rectangular piece of foil, of which the longitudinal edgesoverlapping one another are joined to one another either in fin-seal orlap-seal manner. Alternatively, and also preferably, the container body11 is a portion of an extruded foil tube. A dimensionally stable,shallow-pot-like standing base 13 is inserted in the base region andsealed to the container body 11 internally at the base side along thecircumferential rim. The standing base 13 is inserted in known mannerinto the cylindrical container body 11 at the base side, optionally witha slight radial extension, and is welded or sealed thereto.

The cover foil 18 has a grip tab 22 which extends radially beyond therim 17 of the container opening 15 and by means of which the cover foil18 can easily be pulled off the rim 17 of the container opening 15 afterremoving the screw lid or screw cap 20.

The container body 11 and the cover foil 18 preferably consist of analuminium laminate having at least one sealing layer and optionally atleast one barrier layer, especially of SiO₂, ethyl vinyl alcohol or ametal foil. The laminate of the container body 11 should especially alsobe sealable because the lid arrangement, that is, the annular collarthereof, on the one hand, and the standing base 13 on the other hand,should be sealable thereto along the upper and low circumferential rimsof the container body 11.

The embodiment according to FIG. 2 differs from that according to FIG. 1only in the respect that the lid 20 is lockable onto the neck 19, in thedirection of the arrow 23. Removal of the lid 20 naturally occurs in theopposite direction. The lid 20 has a circumferential rim with an annularprotrusion 24 extending radially inwards that matches an annularprotrusion 25 extending radially outwards in the region of the rim 17 ofthe container opening 15.

FIGS. 3 a-3 e show a can-like container 10 illustrating the attachmentof a lid arrangement 12 according to the invention in the sequence ofthe corresponding operative steps. Starting from FIG. 3 a, an annularcollar 16, including neck 19, is sealed externally to the uppercircumferential rim 14 of the container body 11, resulting in theconfiguration according to FIG. 3 b. A cover foil 18 with grip tab 22 isthen sealed onto the opening rim 17 marking the boundary of thecontainer opening 15 (see FIGS. 3 c and 3 d). Finally, a locking lid 20is locked on over that arrangement, so that the lid arrangement iscompleted according to FIG. 3 e.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 4 a-4 d differs from that according toFIGS. 3 a-3 e in the respect that the first of all a cover foil 18 issealed into the container body 11 at the lid side, internally, along thecircumferential rim 14. Then, according to FIG. 4 b, a lid arrangement12 having an annular collar 16 and a hinged lid 20, which ishinge-mounted on the collar by way of a film hinge 26, is sealed on insuch a manner that a seal is effected between the annular collar 16 andthe outside of the circumferential rim 14. The composite foil from whichthe container body 11 has been produced should thus preferably besealable both internally and externally. A barrier layer, for example ofaluminium, can be arranged between those two sealing layers.

FIG. 4 d shows the can-like container 10 in the closed state, that is,with the hinged lid 20 in the closed position.

The embodiment according to FIG. 5 corresponds substantially to thataccording to FIGS. 3 a-3 e, except that the lid 20 is hinge-mounted inthe form of a hinged lid on the neck 19 of the lid arrangement 12 by wayof a film hinge 26. The embodiment according to FIG. 5 also differs fromthe afore-described embodiments in the respect that the opening rim 17includes a spout-like pouring funnel 27. The lid 20 is constructed incorresponding manner with the result that, after the cover foil has beenremoved (already removed in FIG. 5), the container 10 can be closedagain in a fluid-tight manner by the hinged lid 20. The hinged lid 20 islockable on the opening rim 17, that is, on the neck 19.

The embodiments according to FIGS. 6 a, 6 b and 6 c each show apackaging container in which the container body differs appreciably froma cylindrical shape. The lid arrangement, however, is constructedaccording to the afore-mentioned embodiments; it is simply differentlyshaped. The lid arrangement 12 in the embodiment according to FIG. 6 ais roughly droplet-shaped in plan view. In the embodiment according toFIG. 6 b, the lid arrangement 12 is constructed according to that inFIG. 1, except that the mouth of the container opening is of relativelysmall dimensions.

The embodiment according to FIG. 6 c is distinguished by the fact thatin cross-section, that is, in plan view, both the container body and thelid arrangement are approximately triangular. The same is true of thecontainer opening 15. Both in the embodiment according to FIG. 6 a andin the embodiment according to FIG. 6 c, the lid 20 is in the form of ahinged lid and is hinge-mounted by way of a film hinge 26.

The embodiments according to FIGS. 7 and 8 are constructionscorresponding to that according to FIG. 1. They differ from the latteronly in the respect that no separate screw lid or locking lid isprovided in the embodiments according to FIGS. 7 and 8. It is, however,entirely possible for a locking lid to be provided in addition,corresponding to the embodiment according to FIG. 2. A decisive factoralso in the embodiments according to FIGS. 7 and 8 is that the containeropening 15 is bounded and stabilised by an annular collar 16 having anopening rim 17. That container opening 15 is covered by a cover foil 18,which has a grip tab 22 and is sealed onto the opening rim 17. FIG. 8shows clearly how the cover foil 18 can be pulled off the opening rim 17by means of the grip tab 22.

FIG. 9 a shows a container 10 according to the invention with the lid 20put on. The container 10 has a container body 11 and also a standingbase 13 joined to the lower circumferential rim 14 thereof. Arranged atthe upper circumferential rim thereof is a lid arrangement 12, theannular collar 16 of which engages externally around the circumferentialrim 14 of the container body 11 and is sealed thereto. A lid 20 sealsoff the container 10 at the top, the lid 20 having a top side that fallsaway at an angle and that, in the form of a cut-off cone frustum, has anupwardly directed conical taper.

FIG. 9 b shows the container 10 from FIG. 9 a in an openedrepresentation in which it is possible readily to see the opening rim 17and the container opening 15 as well as goods located in the container.The lid 20 is arranged with its opening beneath the standing base 13,which bounds the container 10 at the bottom, and is engaged with thestanding base 13. As mentioned hereinbefore, the lid has an upwardlyextending taper, so that the lid is able to engage in a correspondingshallow-pot-like recess in the standing base. It may be mentioned atthis point that that engagement can be fixable in a releasable manner byway of a clamping or locking connection. The two arrows symbolicallyassociating FIGS. 9 a and 9 b with one another show in what fashion thecontainer according to the invention is to be used. As a result of thecontainer's being placed onto the inclined lid, the container 10 itselfis subject to an inclined position, with the result that the interior ofthe container is readily accessible through the container opening 15 andit is possible to see easily into the container in its inclinedposition.

At this point, attention may be drawn furthermore to the fact that thecontainer opening 15, in addition to the closure by the lid 20, iscovered by a cover foil (not shown), which is preferably welded, sealedor bonded to the opening rim 17 and needs to be removed from thecontainer opening 15 in order to open the container.

FIGS. 10 a to 10 c show a further embodiment of a container 10 accordingto the invention in which the container body 11 has a varying heightover its circumference, with the result that the container opening 15 ofa standing container 10 falls away at an angle and has a shape,preferably an oval shape, that matches an associated lid. Other shapescan be triangular, quadrangular or polygonal, wherein polygonalcontainer openings may have flats that are of equal or different lengthsso that directed pouring, for example via one or more corners of thecontainer, is possible.

FIG. 10 a shows an afore-mentioned container 10 according to theinvention in closed form, with container body 11, standing base 13,annular collar 16 and lid 20. In FIGS. 10 b and 10 c, the containeraccording to FIG. 10 a is shown in the open form, the container opening15, the annular collar 16 associated with the lid arrangement 12, andthe opening rim 17 being clearly visible. The opening rim 17 is inaccordance with the invention flattened off somewhat. In that manner, asealing face which is more or less planar is provided at which a sealingtool is readily engageable for attaching a cover foil to seal thepackage.

FIGS. 11 a to 11 c show a further container 10 according to theinvention with container body 11 and standing base 13, and also with alid arrangement 12, which has an annular collar 16, an opening rim 17and a neck 19 as well as a cover foil 18 (FIG. 11 b) fixed on theopening rim 17. A lid 20 is connected by way of a film hinge 26 to aring 32 engaging around the neck 19. The ring 32 is arranged on the neck19 of the lid arrangement 12 above the annular collar 16, an annularprotrusion 25 on the lid arrangement 12 preventing the ring 32 fromslipping off. The neck 19 of the lid arrangement 12 is thus boundedbelow by an annular ring 16 and above by an annular protrusion 25,adjacent to which is the opening rim 17. The ring 32 thus has a fixedseat on the neck 19 and there is no fear of its unintentionally slippingoff. The ring 32 can be made from a material that is flexible likerubber, so that it is possible for it to be deliberately slipped overthe annular protrusion 25 and, in another container 10, refastened tothe neck 19 of the other container, so that it is then possible for thelid 20 to be used again on another container 10.

In FIG. 11 c, the container is shown in closed representation in whichthe container may be in the originally sealed form, with the cover foil18 present beneath the lid 20, but it is equally possible that the coverfoil 18 may already have been removed from the opening rim 17 of thecontainer 10, so that FIG. 11 c shows a re-closed container 10. It canbe seen in FIG. 11 b that the cover foil 18 has a grip tab 22. Accordingto FIGS. 11 a to 11 c there is likewise provided, for easier opening ofthe lid 20, a protrusion, which is easier to grasp than a lid of thatkind having a smooth rim. An open container according to that embodimentis shown in FIG. 11 a. FIGS. 12 a to 12 c show a further variant of thecontainer 10 according to the invention, which again has a containerbody 11 as well as a standing base 13 and a lid arrangement 12. Inaddition, the lid 20 in FIGS. 12 a to 12 c is connected in separablemanner to the cover foil, the sealing layer connecting the lid 20 andthe cover foil 18 containing substances that reduce the sealing ability.Those substances are particles that consist of about 80% polypropyleneand about 20% polybutylene and that are embedded in a sealing layer ofpolyethylene. In that manner, the lid 20 can be separated from the coverfoil 18 without the cover foil's 18 being removed from the opening rim17 of the container since, on the side facing the opening rim 17, thecover foil 18 does not contain any substances that reduce the sealingability, thereby resulting in there being greater adhesion between thecover foil 18 and the opening rim 17 than between the lid 20 and thecover foil 18, because the sealing, that is, bonding, strength isreduced by the afore-mentioned particles.

A fully closed container 10 can be seen in FIG. 12 a. In FIG. 12 b, thelid 20 has already been removed to some extent from the cover foil 18,whilst in FIG. 12 c the container 10 has been fully opened and the lid20 lies next to it.

Shown in FIGS. 13 a to 13 c is a container 10 according to the inventionin which the lid has a recess 33, which is openable on the outside andwhich, prior to use, is closed by a foil, which recess is suitable forhousing a spoon, especially a folding spoon, or a similar item. Therecess 33 which is openable on the outside is closed prior to use by afoil. That foil is sealed on an upper circumferential rim which marksthe boundary of the recess, and can be removed from the lid 20 bygrasping a grip tab 22, with the result that the interior of the area inthe lid 20 defined by the recess 33 becomes accessible.

The container is shown in closed form in FIG. 13 a, in a partiallyopened form in FIG. 13 b and in a fully open form in FIG. 13 c. Shown inaddition is a folding spoon, such as is placeable, for example, in therecess 33.

FIGS. 14 a to 14 c show a further embodiment of a container 10 accordingto the invention in which the lid 20 is provided with a film hinge 26.The film hinge 26 forms the bending line by way of which the lid 20 canbe bent back to open the container 10.

FIGS. 15 a to 15 c show a further embodiment of a container 10 accordingto the invention in which a lid having a recess 33 is combined with alid having an integral film hinge.

FIG. 16 shows a further embodiment according to the invention in whichthe lid has an extent that is greater in area than the horizontalcross-section of the container 10. After its removal from the container,which in addition is still closed by a cover foil 18, the lid 20 can beused to enlarge the standing area of the container 10 and, for thatpurpose, has a recess 33 into which the standing base 13 of thecontainer 10 is insertable, with a substantially exact fit, and fixableby a locking, click-shut or turning connection. As a result of therelatively large extent of the lid 20, tipping of the container 10 isnow virtually impossible, so that a container according to the inventionin accordance with that embodiment is especially suitable for children.The relatively large extent of the lid can be achieved by additionalflat elements in the form of tabs, especially grip tabs, which arearranged around the recess 33 in the lid 20 which receives the container10. It should be mentioned that the lid can be provided with motifs, orthe lid itself may constitute a motif, such as, for example, a flower ora small bear, thereby increasing the attractiveness, especially forchildren, of the container according to the invention.

Indentations improving the stability of the container are preferablyformed at the lid rim, relative to the recess 33, in opposing directionsto one another and, especially preferably, extend around the whole ofthe lid.

FIGS. 17 a to 17 c show a further embodiment of a container 10 accordingto the invention which can be used as a “bottle” for infants and smallchildren. For that purpose, the neck 19 of the lid arrangement 12 isprovided with a thread 21 onto which a screw lid 22 can be screwed. Asshown in FIG. 17 a, there is provided in the closed and originallypackaged state of the container a sealing membrane 31, which is arrangedin the top side of the lid 20 concentrically relative to the centre, andis joined to the top side of the lid 20 in such a manner that it can beseparated therefrom or pressed out therefrom.

FIG. 17 b shows that the lid 20 can be removed from the thread 21 of thelid arrangement 12 by being turned and that the sealing membrane 31 canbe removed by being pressed out of the top side of the lid 20, so that aconcentric opening results in the top side of the lid 20. Also shown,arranged on the opening rim 17 of the lid arrangement 12, is a coverfoil 18 which can be pulled off the container opening 15 using a griptab 22. In known manner, a teat 30 can then be placed in the lidaperture 34 and fixed to the container 10 by screwing the residual lidring, together with the teat 30 employed, back onto the thread 21 of thelid arrangement 12. It should be mentioned that the lid aperture 34 isobviously so dimensioned that conventional teats 30 can be used withsuch a lid 20 according to the invention and a container 10 according tothe invention.

All features disclosed in the application documents are claimed asimportant to the invention insofar as they are novel, individually or incombination, compared with the prior art.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 container-   11 container body-   12 lid arrangement-   13 standing base-   14 circumferential rim-   15 container opening-   16 annular collar-   17 opening rim-   18 cover foil-   19 neck-   20 lid-   21 thread-   22 grip tab-   23 arrow-   24 annular protrusion-   25 annular protrusion-   26 film hinge-   27 pouring funnel-   28 lid recess-   29 perforation-   30 teat-   31 sealing membrane-   32 ring-   33 recess-   34 lid aperture

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A can-like or other packaging container, saidcontainer comprising: a container body of cylinder-like or tube-likeform produced from composite foil having a circumferential rim; a lidarrangement; and a standing or other base closure; wherein: the lidarrangement comprises: a relatively rigid, dimensionally stable, annularcollar, said collar being fixed on or sealed to the circumferential rimof said container body, and marking the boundary of a container opening;and a cover foil extending over said container opening and being sealedto the rim thereof.
 22. A container according to claim 21, wherein aneck extends between said annular collar and said container opening andsaid container further includes a lid adapted to be locked or screwedonto said neck.
 23. A container according to claim 22, wherein said neckhas a locking member selected from the group consisting of a protrusionextending radially outwards, and a locking notch extending radiallyinwards, said locking member in each case matching complementary lockingmeans provided on said lid.
 24. A container according to claim 22,wherein a thread is embossed on the outer circumference of said neck andmatches a corresponding internal thread in a screw lid or a screw cap ofsaid container.
 25. A container according to claim 21, furthercomprising a folding lid hinge-mounted by way of a film hinge at alocation selected from the group consisting of at said collar, at saidopening neck, and at a region of the lid.
 26. A container according toclaim 21, wherein said opening rim includes a spout-like or otherpouring funnel.
 27. A container according to claim 21, wherein saidcover foil has at least one grip tab extending radially beyond said rimof said container opening.
 28. A container according to claim 21,wherein said base is a base selected from the group consisting of a baseof shallow-pot-like form, a base constructed with a V-shaped fold, and abase constructed with a W-shaped fold, and is bonded, welded or sealedat the rim side to said circumferential rim of said container body atthe base side thereof.
 29. A container according to claim 22, wherein apart(s) selected from the group consisting of the base, the lid, and thebase and the lid is/are produced from injection moulded, deep-drawnrelatively rigid, dimensionally stable, material.
 30. A containeraccording to claim 22, wherein said lid has a top side that falls awayat an angle.
 31. A container according to claim 22, wherein said lid isin the form of a truncated cone.
 32. A container according to claim 21,wherein said container body has a varying height over its circumferenceso that said container opening of a standing container falls away at anangle.
 33. A container according to claim 21, wherein a ring segment orring is provided and is operative to be snapped on at least around apartial region of said neck of said lid arrangement to engage aroundsaid neck at least partially, said ring segment or ring being connectedto said lid by way of a film hinge or other connection.
 34. A containeraccording to claim 21, wherein said lid and said cover foil are joinedto one another in separable manner, a part selected from the groupconsisting of said lid, said cover foil, and said lid and said coverfoil containing substances that reduce the sealing and/or bondingability.
 35. A container according to claim 22, wherein said lid has arecess for housing an object, or other purpose, said recess beingopenable on the outside and, prior to use, being closed or sealed by afoil or other closure or seal.
 36. A container according to claim 21,wherein said base is a standing base and said lid is so formed that itcan be brought into engagement with said standing base.
 37. A containeraccording to claim 21, wherein said container body is formed from acomposite foil that is shaped by means of a seal selected from the groupconsisting of a fin-seal and a lap-seal into a basic body selected fromthe group consisting of a cylindrical basic body, a truncatedcone-shaped basic body, and a tube-shaped basic body.
 38. A containeraccording to claim 21, wherein said container body is a portion of anextruded foil tube.
 39. A container according to claim 21, wherein apart selected from the group consisting of said container body, saidbase, said cover foil, said container body and said base, and saidcontainer body, said base and said cover foil is/are produced from analuminum or other laminate, said cover foil having a layer(s) selectedfrom the group consisting of at least one sealing layer, at least onesealing layer and at least one barrier layer, at least one sealing layerand at least one barrier layer of SiO₂, at least one sealing layer andat least one barrier layer of ethyl vinyl alcohol, and at least onesealing layer and at least one metal foil barrier layer.
 40. A containeraccording to claim 21, wherein said foil has a thickness selected fromthe group consisting of in the range from 50μ to 1000μ, in the rangefrom 100μ to 500μ, and in the range from 150μ to 350μ.